Calling the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly a "pathshala" that can shape national leaders, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday urged legislators to uphold accountability, participate meaningfully in debates and embrace transparency to meet the changing expectations of the public.
Addressing the 'Amrit Manthan' programme organised to mark the 75th anniversary of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Birla said the Assembly is the institution where public representatives truly understand the pulse of the state. "In a democracy, the Vidhan Sabha is the only place where you understand a state's strengths, challenges, expectations, criticism and weaknesses.
Through discussions and debates in the House, governments can be run better," he said. Describing the Assembly as a training ground for public representatives, Birla said, "Today's Vidhan Sabha is a pathshala that can make you national leaders.
Many national leaders have emerged from this House, and the Assembly has the potential to prepare many more." Emphasising the need for greater public access to legislative proceedings, Birla said debates of MLAs should be uploaded on digital platforms so that future generations of leaders can learn from them.
He urged Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani to ensure that debates of MLAs are made available online. "We are trying to ensure that within a year, the debates of MLAs from all Vidhan Sabhas are available online. A person's debates should appear as soon as his or her name is searched," he said.
Birla said the nature of governance and public expectations have changed significantly over the years. "The times have changed. People now expect an accountable government and accountable public representatives. Voters want transparency, responsibility and answers from those they elect.
Leaders who possess these qualities and deliver on them will succeed," he said. Recalling his own journey as an MLA, Birla said returning to the Rajasthan Assembly brought back memories and made him emotional. He said he had learned invaluable lessons on legislative functioning during his tenure in the House.
Speaking about his transition from MLA to MP, he said building an identity in Parliament, with over 500 members, was far more challenging than in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly. "The first pathshala gives lessons for life, and I received those lessons from this pathshala," he said.
Birla also shared advice that had shaped his functioning as a presiding officer. He said the Speaker should never stand during proceedings, as doing so diminishes the dignity of the Chair, adding that he had conveyed the same advice to the Rajasthan Assembly Speaker.
He further said a presiding officer should never allow stress to show on his face. "A worker once advised me that the person occupying the Chair should never reflect tension on his face. I followed that advice and have always tried to conduct proceedings with composure," he said.
Stressing that disruption is not a measure of leadership, Birla said creating a ruckus in the House does not make anyone a leader. Legislators who contribute thoughtfully to debates, however, continue to be remembered long after their speeches are delivered.
"When we read the debates of former MLAs, we continue to learn from their discussions. I have learned from the expressions, arguments and conduct of senior leaders, and I am still learning today," he said. He expressed concern that many legislators now leave the House immediately after delivering their speeches instead of listening to others.
"A person speaks well only if he listens well. Many members now come only to deliver their speeches and then leave, but listening is equally important," he said. Birla remarked that several legislators who present facts and evidence effectively in the Assembly struggle to speak with the same impact in Parliament.
In this reference, he quoted, MP Rao Rajendra Singh and said he spoke well in the Assembly. Referring to former chief minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Birla said the veteran leader continues to be remembered because of his simplicity and conduct.
"I learned such values in this Assembly. One should always keep learning new things. The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly is a school that can guide a public representative throughout life," he said. Urging legislators to strengthen the culture of debate, Birla said participation in discussions and sessions chaired by the Speaker should increase rather than decline.
"When questions are raised, give appropriate answers. This House is your platform. From here, you can become national leaders. There should be more discussions, more debates and greater participation in the proceedings," he said.